22 Family Z 9

She was still a bit numb and dizzy. The new surrounding she found herself in, was unfamiliar and took time to get accustomed to. Along with that, she had to alienate herself from the illusion that still lingered.

The pain pulsated in her body and slowly needed to be driven out. When she was clear-headed again, there was a thought that perplexed her.

If the illusion showed one's utmost desire, then why in the world was Yano in there?

She never met him, only heard of his name, fame, popularity and power that came with him.

However, there was no time to think about it as she was confined in a small room with nothing but herself and a door.

There were cracks in the walls and scratches, luring to the conclusion that several people have been held here before and she wasn't the first.

The Z family held prisoners. That was her first thought which was most likely true.

Lia quickly collected her thoughts and traced her memories. She was on her way to the Z family, killed the guards but the moment she stepped in, she was pulled into an illusion by possibly Elder Z. Then she broke through it and now found herself here.

However, what happened to her corpses? It didn't seem like they've been discovered or else there would've been a great commotion.

She never thought Min would give the Z family powers. There was no news about it but then again, she also didn't know that the Z family had earned the right to kill people and presumably, all their weapons were embedded with the green emblem of the Ghost King.

She gathered the air around her and breathed in, then out. She traced her soul pieces. Once her soul entered another being, it was possible to figure out what happened to it to a certain degree. She could faintly feel that her corpses were fine but the distance between her and them was too far.

Did they hide on their own? She was a bit surprised, however, if her corpses could actually have a life and think on their own then she would be truly invincible. If there was a way to achieve true undead, then who would dare to stand in her way?

She was about to give her corpses a command to find her as the door opened. A tall man with a youthful face and loose robe came in. He leaned against the door frame and the bright light from outside illuminated him. It was impossible for Lia to see his expression.

His hair danced before his face and she figured that there was a breeze, omitting the possibility that they were underground.

The youth continued to just stand in the doorframe without moving. It was unclear if he saw that Lia was awake or thought she was still in the illusion and this was a routine for him to check on her.

She had squinted her eyes and from a distance, it looked like she was asleep, however, through the crack in her vision she could still see him. The youth finally pushed himself away from the frame and his hands glided onto the door handle. Then a light bang followed.

She thought he was gone and was shocked as she felt her face being gently caressed. She instantly opened her eyes and stared into the youth's unfathomable ones.

"You're awake?" his voice was a soft whisper and she couldn't decipher the emotions behind it.

"It was hard on you," he sounded like he was gently coaxing a little child to sleep.

His soft fingers trailed along hers before they harshly grabbed her face. A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.

"How did you break through my illusion?"

From these words alone Lia figured he was the fourth son of the Z family, 'Fourth'. He looked fairly young and only the members of the Z family could use the illusion power. Lia has killed the first three sons, so only Fourth remained.

"Answer," his actions were rough but his voice was still gentle.

She was a bit astonished about his personality that differed from his brothers. Neither arrogance nor confidence was present, only a soothing atmosphere that made one want to trust him.

"I have no idea what you mean," Lia's voice was hoarse. She had no idea how long she has been here. An hour? Or was it more?

"You don't?" again his voice was pleasant and made its way to one's heart, tightly wrapping around it asking for permission to enter.

"I don't," she had to be cautious.

"I see," he let go of her face.

For minutes they just stared at each other, with neither pulling away.

"We have never met if I recall," he gave her a light smile.

"Fourth," Lia didn't need him to introduce herself.

"That saves time, Lia," he still smiled, "I can't believe you're alive and well."

"Where should I be?"

"In the abyss?"

So he knew about it. Lia's gaze turned darker.

"What will you do to me?"

"I wonder," he was crouching in front of her and now he put his head in his hands continuing to size her up.

It was her first time dealing with someone as odd as him. What was his purpose? What did he want?

"Where's Elder Z?"

"My father?" Fourth thought for a while, "In the palace. Don't worry, I have sent someone to inform him. He should be here soon and possibly the Ghost King too."

Lia felt her heart leap when she heard this. If Elder Z came alone she had no problems, but if Min were really to come then-

"It seems like you had a... great illusion?" Fourth began to touch her face again. She couldn't read his eyes. There was no way into his thoughts and understand his actions.

She sneered, "very nice. The present you gave me, I'll gladly return it."

"No need, you can keep it."

Lia had the urge to kick him. She pulled on the shackles but he stopped her.

"You'll hurt yourself," his hands wrapped around hers.

"What's your intention?"

"I don't have any, it's just..."

"Just?"

He tilted his head a bit before giving her another little smile, "I can't let you kill us."

Lia laughed. Of course not, who would want to be killed.

"How do you know?"

"How do I know what?"

She was sure he was doing it on purpose, playing dumb and agitating her but his actions were so ambiguous. She didn't like him being intimate with her, she couldn't fathom what his thoughts were.

"Don't touch me."

"Pardon me," he removed his hands but his eyes still rested on her.

"How do you know I was coming?"

"Wasn't I supposed to know?"

There was no end with this! She would never get the answer out of him at this rate.

"I want to help you."

"What?" his words startled her. She narrowed her eyes and her lips turned into a fine line.

"Wouldn't it be better for you to stay in the illusion? Then the time in the abyss would pass quickly and you won't feel any of the torture. I'm doing you a favour. You can live inside the illusion even if you die."

Once those words entered Lia's mind, her rage flared up again. She would not go back to the abyss and she would never want to experience the illusion again.

She violently pulled on the shackles and tried to hit him. He was unfazed by her outburst and just quietly watched her.

"Doing me a favour?" she hissed, "then how about you present your head and that of your parents on a silver plate? Then I'll gratefully thank you."

"I quite like my head. Thank you," he stood up and looked down at her, "by the way, I'm quite curious. What did you think you could do on your own?"

Lia remained silent. Her mind worked furiously to find a way to leave this place. She concentrated on her soul pieces and-

"What kind of plan do you have?" he crouched down again and this time touched her neck. It was fragile and could break the second he exerted some force.

"Take it as a crazy woman's revenge," she ridiculed any attempt of his.

"You're more clever than that. I've heard from my father that you have no power anymore, so on what is your confidence based if you thought you could easily kill us? Disregarding the fact you killed my brothers."

"You guess," he didn't answer her questions, she wouldn't answer his. Leave him hanging, let him experience his own medicine.

"Either way, you can't escape here. You have to accept your fate," with this he stood up again and headed to the door but then turned around.

"It's better if I do it like this instead?" he gently closed her eyes and everything turned dark.

She knew what he was doing and she knew he deliberately let her know that he could do it at any time, everywhere he wanted. His power.

She had no idea what the requirements were to activate his ability, but at this rate, it seemed like there weren't any.

She cursed as she once again was pulled back into the hateful illusion that brought her pain and joy. A never-ending cycle.

Yet, Lia didn't know she was in an illusion as she lept into the arms of Min and her parents on a bright sunny day.

She felt their love and everything seemed perfect. Nothing felt wrong apart from the slight sting in her heart.